When we were traveling in Australia last year, we enjoyed walking the Great Ocean Track along the south coast immensely. One of many highlights. Late last year our mate Peter sent us a link he'd received detailing a new coastal Camino route. I think he sent it just for fun, but it captured our imaginations almost immediately. So began our search for information on the route. I must say, there isn't much information available in English, actually none. But with the help of many translations and a lot of cut and paste I was able to create a short 'walking note' for the route, complete with some stage maps and elevation profiles.
As you can see from the new map above, the Dos Faros (The Camino of Two Lighthouses) runs from Malpica in the north to Fisterre in the south, a distance of 210 kms. From what I've learned it has 14,000' of vertical up and also down over its length, so clearly there will be a bit of sweating! The route crosses some 50+ beaches which should also add an interesting component. The route was recently walked and driven by the Google Mapping folks, so it can be viewed on Google Earth if you are so inclined. There are also various videos available on YouTube which illustrate the beauty of this coast known locally as the Costa de la Morte, the Coast of Death. Ooooooooo! More about that in a further post!
There are again no formal albergues to stay in and only limited accomodations, so I have been forced to pre-book all beds (again with the help of our lovely neighbour Lis) in various fishing villages along the route. We will be staying in small pensions and even in a private home which is pretty cool. We will cross the route in eight stages beginning tomorrow, Tuesday. It's a rugged route, 70% trail with limited marking, and the balance on country roads. Apparently lots of cliffs to cross...just my most favourite thing on the planet! I will be a bit challenged no doubt.
The Camino Dos Faros, is not a recognized Camino, at least by the powers that be in Santiago, but nonetheless it is a semi-recognized walking route and the organizers are in the process of applying for GR trail status. I walked the GR65 from Le Puy, France last year as an example. So there isn't a composella at the end, unless one was to continue.onwards from Fisterre to Santiago, a recognized Camino route. This would a good walk to combine with the Dos Faros, a distance of approximately 325 kms. We again expect to see few walkers on this route, and those we see will likely be Europeans.
Will leave you today with a few images from our time in Santiago. Then I have to get up, have a nice breakfast, visit the local Santiago market and then find a way up to Malpica this afternoon. Enjoy!
Safe journey home Rob. I'll miss your company, humour and "uh-huh's". Particularly your incredible enthusiasm for Roman bridges! 
Una Chico rests!
Lovely photographs. I remember stumbling across the farmers' market while walking back from the slanting church. That was a good lunch! (Always thinking of my stomach.)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing what the Dos Faros looks like.
¡Buen Camino!